Category Archives: Reviews

Karam’s Humans

Posted on February 9, 2018 by barczablog

This co-production of The Humans, Stephen Karam’s 2016 Tony Award winner from Citadel Theatre & Canadian Stage has come to the Bluma Appel Theatre.   We are functioning in real time for about an hour and a half of a Thanksgiving … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | 5 Comments

Frisch takes us Over the Rainbow

Posted on February 2, 2018 by barczablog

Sometimes we read a book to learn something, to discover answers to questions. And sometimes we read simply to get lost in the conversation. Walter Frisch is taking me on one of those latter sorts of journeys in his 2017 … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Leave a comment

Rigoletto reboot

Posted on January 28, 2018 by barczablog

I like the Canadian Opera Company’s Rigoletto, directed by Christopher Alden, starring Roland Wood, Anna Christy and Stephen Costello. Everyone I’ve talked to enthuses about the singing. Ah but I like the production, and I say this, aware (via social … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 8 Comments

Planets via Storgårds and TSO

Posted on January 27, 2018 by barczablog

There are many possible ways to interpret great pieces of music.  I was struck tonight, listening to the Toronto Symphony led by John Storgårds at Roy Thomson Hall, that sometimes there are more important considerations than the interpretation. I say that … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Opera by Request—Salome

Posted on January 21, 2018 by barczablog

The concept is exactly as it sounds.  If you’re a singer wanting to do a role, Opera by Request is the place for you.  William Shookhoff is a busy man, the pianist & music director responsible for making those requests … Continue reading →

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Safe Haven Mackay’s best yet

Posted on January 20, 2018 by barczablog

The headline is meant to convey an enthusiastic response to something I’ll attempt to analyze.  I liked it. Alison Mackay has grown from her role playing violone & double bass with Tafelmusik into their programmer extraordinaire, creating a series of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 1 Comment

Nine in Concert

Posted on January 13, 2018 by barczablog

The musical Nine is a bit of a virtuoso vehicle, putting thirteen women, a man and a boy onstage together.  The music & lyrics by Maury Yeston are never easy but quite rewarding, particularly if you have an actual orchestra, … Continue reading →

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H̶a̶m̶l̶e̶t̶ at Tarragon

Posted on January 11, 2018 by barczablog

On the program it’s Hamlet but the font is struck through like this: H̶a̶m̶l̶e̶t̶. I wondered, was this to be a musical? The advance description said “Shakespeare’s best-known tragedy is reimagined on the Tarragon stage through the powerful lens of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | 1 Comment

Best of Tchaikovsky

Posted on December 7, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight we heard one of the three Toronto Symphony orchestra concerts titled “Best of Tchaikovsky” at Roy Thomson Hall.  While I’m not sure if I’d agree with the title (I can think of pieces I would prefer), if they’re playing … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 2 Comments

TIFT Candide

Posted on December 3, 2017 by barczablog

While 2017 was a year to celebrate Canada’s 150th, we’re now coming up on the 100th birthday of Leonard Bernstein.  Whether you pronounce it Bern–steen or Bern-stine, the composer, pianist & conductor was born in 1918, which means that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 3 Comments